Tran Minh Dung entered medical school worried that his math background might hold him back. Six years later, he has graduated top of his class with a 3.75/4 GPA.
From math student to top medical graduate
Speaking to VietNamNet, Dung said he was delighted with the result after six years of hard work.
A former student of Math Class 1 at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Dung said most of his classmates chose fields such as information technology or disciplines involving applied mathematics. For him, however, the decision to pursue medicine came quite naturally.
“Toward the end of Grade 11 and the beginning of Grade 12, most of my friends already had clear plans, whether to study abroad or which major to choose, but I was still unsure. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to do something that could help many people. Then, when a family member had a health problem, I came to appreciate more deeply just how precious health is. That was when I decided to pursue medicine and become a doctor so I could help others,” Dung recalled.
Tran Minh Dung graduates top of the medical class at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, with a GPA of 3.75 out of 4. Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Six years ago, Dung was admitted to the medical program at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, through an academic-record admissions pathway for students from specialized high schools.
“Students who pursue medicine and pharmacy often come from chemistry or biology tracks. As a math-track student, I was worried that I might struggle because medicine requires a considerable amount of knowledge in the natural sciences,” Dung said.
With guidance from lecturers who brought both strong academic knowledge and practical experience, however, Dung gradually became more confident.
“Studying in an environment surrounded by so many talented classmates also motivated me to keep pushing myself,” he said.
Dung said he had no particular secret to academic success. What mattered most, in his view, was finding a way of learning that suited him.
“Our six years of study were divided into two parts. For roughly the first three years, we mainly studied at the university. From the second semester of our third year, we began clinical training at hospitals. During our hospital rotations, we still had to keep up with our academic studies at the university. Like most of my classmates, I found that transition one of the most difficult stages,” Dung said.
Dung considers himself and his classmates fortunate to have received dedicated guidance from faculty members as well as lecturers who also work as doctors in hospitals. “We were given opportunities to undertake clinical training at some of the country’s leading hospitals, including Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc Hospital and Vietnam National Children’s Hospital,” he said.
For medical students, Dung believes that alongside classroom learning, clinical rotations and direct contact with patients provide invaluable experience.
“I always value my patients and see them as teachers in their own way, helping me grow and mature in the profession,” he said.
Before each clinical session, Dung would read up on the relevant material and write down questions he wanted answered. Before rotating through each department, he carefully reviewed the theory and then compared it with actual clinical practice to test and reinforce what he had learned. In turn, real-life experience helped him understand theoretical concepts more deeply and clearly.
Whenever he encountered a difficult issue or something he did not understand, Dung would ask his lecturers and the doctors directly treating the patients. Back home, he would read books and continue searching online for further materials related to the case or medical field in question.
Despite graduating with an Excellent degree, Dung understands that he, like other newly graduated doctors, will face many challenges ahead.
“Once we become practicing doctors, we will have to shoulder much greater responsibility. Every case, every test result, every diagnosis and every prescription we make will no longer be simply a lesson or an exam question. Behind each one will be a patient’s hopes, and sometimes even their life. That responsibility will also be a source of motivation, pushing me to keep striving and learning every day,” Dung said.
Admitted to medical residency program
Professor Le Ngoc Thanh, Rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (far right), and Associate Professor Nguyen Viet Nhung, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, present Tran Minh Dung with his graduation diploma. Photo: Thanh Hung
Through his sustained efforts, Dung earned academic merit scholarships in 10 of his 12 semesters.
He was also actively involved in activities at both class and university level. He served as a member of the Youth Union Executive Committee at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy during its second and third terms, and was part of the organizing teams for numerous Youth Union and Vietnam National University, Hanoi programs and activities.
Dung said he had recently passed the medical residency entrance examination at Hanoi Medical University and will spend the next three years in the program. He is currently considering which specialty to choose on September 9.
“I plan to choose a clinical specialty so that I can work directly with patients, examining and treating them,” Dung said.
He sees residency training as a journey that will help him fill the remaining gaps in his knowledge and skills and move closer to becoming a good doctor.
“I hope that after three years, I will not only be stronger in professional knowledge and clinical skills, but will also have grown as a person so I can truly become a doctor and help others,” Dung said.
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